Super-elite ladies

[noel]

I'm just looking through the entry list for Pendle three peaks. For blokes, the top runners are much the same as they were 5 years ago (or 10 years ago in many cases). However, for the ladies, many of the top ladies from the last 5-10 years don't seem to figure now.

I see Vic Wilkinson on the entry list but not many others on my mental list of who's really excelled.

I realise there will be personal reasons why each one hasn't entered. And I'm not berating these or any other ladies for not doing one race. I also don't want this thread to turn into an analysis of specific runners and their individual reasons for not racing. But is this a general trend? Does life get in the way of elite running for ladies? I realise that having kids knocks you out of contention for a few years. Is it too hard to come back at a competitive level? Or do elite lasses have more imagination than blokes and therefore don't want to keep doing the same things?

[Derby Tup]

Good idea for a thread noel. As a 51 year old back of the pack male I have nothing else to contribute

[Graham Breeze]

Noel,

In a word "yes".

I think I have addressed this in past articles in The Fellrunner; but using (a few) more words.

Graham

I'm just looking through the entry list for Pendle three peaks. For blokes, the top runners are much the same as they were 5 years ago (or 10 years ago in many cases). However, for the ladies, many of the top ladies from the last 5-10 years don't seem to figure now.

I see Vic Wilkinson on the entry list but not many others on my mental list of who's really excelled.

I realise there will be personal reasons why each one hasn't entered. And I'm not berating these or any other ladies for not doing one race. I also don't want this thread to turn into an analysis of specific runners and their individual reasons for not racing. But is this a general trend? Does life get in the way of elite running for ladies? I realise that having kids knocks you out of contention for a few years. Is it too hard to come back at a competitive level? Or do elite lasses have more imagination than blokes and therefore don't want to keep doing the same things?

[noel]

Noel,

In a word "yes".

I think I have addressed this in past articles in The Fellrunner; but using (a few) more words.

Graham

I guess it highlights the staying power and dedication of those who continue to excel in their age categories.

[mr brightside]

I'm just looking through the entry list for Pendle three peaks. For blokes, the top runners are much the same as they were 5 years ago (or 10 years ago in many cases). However, for the ladies, many of the top ladies from the last 5-10 years don't seem to figure now.

I see Vic Wilkinson on the entry list but not many others on my mental list of who's really excelled.

I realise there will be personal reasons why each one hasn't entered. And I'm not berating these or any other ladies for not doing one race. I also don't want this thread to turn into an analysis of specific runners and their individual reasons for not racing. But is this a general trend? Does life get in the way of elite running for ladies? I realise that having kids knocks you out of contention for a few years. Is it too hard to come back at a competitive level? Or do elite lasses have more imagination than blokes and therefore don't want to keep doing the same things?

I think this helpful public information broadcast has the answer...



It's a bit old, but the data looks solid.